The 2025 season has passed the three-quarter mark, and as the final stretch of the season approaches, AFL fans are being spoiled with a number of season-defining clashes.
Whether it's a top-of-the-table clash in Round 21 or a potential "wildcard" game in Round 24, the AFL has truly saved some of its best fixtures for last.
We've picked the ten games that will have a massive say on September's outlook.
2Round 20
GWS vs Sydney
The Swans will likely enter this game on a three-game win streak, barring a shock upset loss at home to North Melbourne on Saturday. That would mean they'd enter this game with a 9-9 record and potentially just eight premiership points outside of the eight.
This game gives the Swans a perfect opportunity to control their own destiny, to a certain extent anyway. A win here would give them ground on the Giants, who will either be 11-7 or 12-6 when the ball is bounced.
GWS, on the other hand, has the opportunity to effectively end its archrival's season. Having lost their last five derbies, there would be no better time to snap that streak than here.
Gold Coast vs Brisbane
Round 20 looks to be unofficially earmarked as the AFL's "Rivalry Round" with all four interstate derbies taking place. However, none will matter more than the 29th edition of the Q-Clash.
Both sides could firmly plant their flags in September soil with wins, but a loss could throw a home qualifying final - or even a top-four spot - in doubt.
There's plenty of emotion in this rivalry, with tensions a certainty to rise at some point, but this looks to be one of the more enticing midfield battles of the season. Last time out, the Lions prevailed by 17 points in less-than-ideal conditions at the Gabba, a match dominated by their three-headed midfield monster of Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage.
Those three won nearly as many clearances as Gold Coast won as a team (27 vs GC's 28). How the Suns' midfield group respond to that beatdown this time out will be a season-defining moment.
So you DONT think the Crows v Pies in rnd 23 shape the 8!
OMG – do you even know about footy outside Victoria??